Hektorama

The recent coronavirus outbreak inevitably brings to mind the Spanish flu, the deadly influenza pandemic of a century ago. Here we republish seven articles about this devastating viral disease that spread to the four corners of the world, killing an estimated 50 million people, and leaving behind bitter memories and fears that someday history may repeat itself.

The year 2019 celebrates the 500^th anniversary of the death of Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest painters and polymaths of all time. Born near Florence in 1452, he moved to Milan at age thirty, but towards the end of his life (1516) was recruited by King Francis I to move to France. He died in the Castle of Amboise three years later on 2 May 1519. An unverified story tells that he died in the arms of his patron and protector, King Francis. We honor the achievements of this great man by reprinting several articles published about him in our journal.

• Mesua, Yalhya ibn Masawaih c.777-857
• Joannitius, Hunayn ibu Ishaq el Ibadi 809-873
• Rhazi, Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi 865-925
• Al Kindi c.801-c.873
• Haly Abbas Ali ibn al-‘Abbas al-Majusi, or Masoudi 982–994
• Albucasis Abu Al-Qasim Khalaf Ibn Al-Abbas Al-Zahrawi 936-1013 AD

• Al Hazen Hasan Ibn al-Haytham c.965-c.1040
• Avicenna Ibn Sinna 980-1037
• Averroes  or Ibn Rushd 1126-1198
• Ibn al-Nafis 1210-1288
• Maimonides or Moses bin Maimon 1135-1204
•  Avenzoar Abumeron or Abu Merwan Abd-al-Malik ibn Zuhr 12th century